Progress
Developing the specification

The group leading the project worked with our consultant, Nicholas Thistlethwaite, to obtain quotations from a number of leading experts in organ restoration.  We have also visited some City of London churches where organs have recently been restored with our adviser to improve our understanding of the issues involved in a sensitive and appropriate restoration.  This proved a very valuable exercise.   Photos of our visit are shown below (click on a photo for a full-size version).  

With the agreement of the PCC, we moved forward to start discussions withGoetze and Gwynn as our preferred organ restorer.  A contract was signed in the summer of 2011, when we we felt confident that the balance of money to be raised was a manageable sum. 
 

Raising the funds

The funding target for this restoration is approaching £350,000. 

Local support, in the form of donations and help for events, has been tremendous.  We have raised almost £30,000 in this way so far.  This has enabled us to fund the publicity material and other necessary activities – and still have over £27,000 available.

We have received the offer of one large grant – worth up to £150,000 from the Foundation for the Sports and Arts, of £72,000 net from Viridor Credits, of £25,000 from the Pilgrim Trust, of £25,000 from Council for Church Buildings and lastly of £5,000 from the Leche Trust - a total of  up to £277,000 in grant funding.

In total we have in excess of £300,000. 

The process of grant application continues, as does maintaining local and national interest.